US moves aircraft from second UK base amid Iran threat

The United States military has relocated aircraft from a second airbase in the United Kingdom due to a threat from Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Two US refueling tankers and several other aircraft that were operating from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England were diverted to Germany and other locations on Monday, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The exact nature of the threat to RAF Mildenhall remains under discussion among US officials. The US has raised the security level at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to Force Protection Condition Charlie, which is the second-highest threat level indicating a likely terrorist action, according to the WSJ.

This move follows a recent security incident at RAF Fairford in southwest England, where five men were arrested, with two others suspected of assisting Iranian intelligence. This incident led to the removal of US B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford on security grounds.

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated that aircraft and assets move regularly based on operational needs, while a US Air Force spokesperson noted that aircraft rotate between bases for various reasons.

The increased security measures and aircraft movements come amid heightened concerns about the broader security implications of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.